Murkrow (GP 2/2)

[Overview]

<p>Murkrow has always been outclassed in previous generations; however, in this generation, the black bird was given some buffs, namely Prankster and Eviolite. Eviolite greatly boosts Murkrow's lackluster 60 / 42 / 42 defenses into something much more manageable. With Prankster, Murkrow has access to priority Taunt, FeatherDance, Roost, Thunder Wave, and Perish Song, making the little crow an ideal stallbreaker. However, Murkrow is definitely not without its flaws, as even with Eviolite, its defenses are still subpar. Its typing is also not the best defensively speaking, as it leaves it weak to many common attacking types and neutral to Fighting-type moves. However, Murkrow is definitely the Pokemon to use, should you ever be in need of a stallbreaker.</p>

[SET]
name: Perish Trapper
move 1: Mean Look
move 2: Perish Song
move 3: Roost
move 4: Protect / Substitute
item: Eviolite
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Murkrow fills the niche of being the only Prankster Pokemon that is able to Perish Trap. The strategy of this set is to trap one of your opponent's Pokemon, preferably a wall that your team has trouble with, and proceed to Perish Song, causing them to faint in three turns. Roost is essential, as Murkrow needs to be alive in order for Mean Look to remain in effect and prevent your opponent from switching out. The fourth moveslot is essentially a toss-up between Protect and Substitute. Protect is a guaranteed way to burn off a turn, making it the more reliable choice; however, Substitute keeps Murkrow status free, which allows it to possibly come in late-game and Perish Trap another Pokemon into oblivion.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>You can choose to make Murkrow either physically or specially bulky, since its defenses are the same. Investing in Murkrow's physical defenses tends to be the more popular option, but a 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD EV spread with a Calm nature is viable. A specially defensive spread allows Murkrow to reliably check Choice Specs Exeggutor, something not a lot of other Pokemon can claim. The nature should always be an attack-reducing nature in order to minimize possible confusion recoil. Taunt or FeatherDance are options for the fourth moveslot, but they are more often than not the inferior option. The main draw to using Perish Trap Murkrow is its ability to reliably eliminate a wall from the opponent's team, so including a Pokemon that can sweep once a problem wall is gone would be a good idea. An example of a good teammate would be Swellow who can sweep once the opponent's physical wall is KOed. Murkrow is easily capable of trapping and KOing Probopass, Metang, Alomomola, and Bastiodon, opening a sweep for Swellow.</p>

[SET]
name: FeatherDance
move 1: FeatherDance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Taunt / Substitute
item: Eviolite
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With Eviolite and priority FeatherDance, Murkrow is capable of being a fairly decent physical wall, capable of shutting down some scary threats such as Sawk. FeatherDance lowers the opponent's attack by two stages, which easily patches up Murkrow's lackluster base 42 Defense. Roost is there to make sure that Murkrow is in good health, as it can't take too many hits even with FeatherDance. Taunt is there in order to shut down Pokemon who utilize set-up moves, such as Cacturne and Tangela, while Brave Bird prevents Murkrow itself from being Taunt bait. Substitute is a viable alternative over Taunt, as it helps Murkrow scout the opponent's moveset and easily prevents any status effects.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread is designed to make Murkrow as physically bulky as possible, which works great in tandem with FeatherDance. 248 HP EVs gives Murkrow an odd HP number so it can switch into Stealth Rock four times. Murkrow users still need to be wary of switching into physical attackers, as a strong super effective hit will really put a dent in Murkrow, even with Eviolite, due to its poor defenses.</p>

<p>In terms of other options for this set, Thunder Wave can be used over Taunt in order to cripple Gorebyss if it finds a way to set up. However, a Murkrow that lacks Taunt is basically set-up fodder for Spikes users such as Cacturne, so Taunt is usually the better option.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Murkrow has access to a ton of support moves. Confuse Ray is an interesting choice, as it prevents your opponent from attacking 50% of the time. Murkrow also has access to Haze, which can make Murkrow a good phazer. However, the most deadly set-up sweeper in the tier at the moment is Gorebyss, and Murkrow doesn't enjoy taking even a neutral hit from it. Murkrow can also function as a weather inducer, but as Murkrow is unable to utilize Damp or Heat Rock while holding Eviolite, it is usually outclassed. Finally, Tailwind or Thunder Wave can be used for team support, the latter being a good way to cripple Gorebyss if it manages to get off a Shell Smash.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>While Murkrow is a decent wall, it isn't very hard to muscle your way through it. Any Pokemon with a powerful super effective move, especially a special one, has a good chance of beating Murkrow. Pokemon such as Eelektross, Rotom-F, and Beartic all stand a good chance of beating Murkrow, as Murkrow really can't switch in on any of these Pokemon. For the Perish Trapping set, any Pokemon with Volt Switch or U-turn will end Murkrow's games very quickly, as both avoid the effects of Mean Look. Finally, Taunt will completely ruin Murkrow. If you can Taunt Murkrow as it switches in, then you are almost guaranteed to have rendered Murkrow useless.</p>

I think the Perish Trapping set is the only set worth mentioning. I could add a FeatherDance/ Toxic Stall set if need be, but this set seems to be the only one out there that's worth running at the moment

I've played extensively with a set of:

Murkrow@Eviolite
(i'll look up the EVs/Nature)
-Featherdance
-Roost
-Brave Bird
-Taunt

Shuts down Fighting-types like Sawk/Throh and Grass-types like Roselia/Exeggutor. Brave Bird is better than Toxic because you beat Roselia that way. It's a really really great set, I encourage you to try it before writing the rest of the analysis.

Also I think a weather starter deserves a set, you could run something like:

-Rain Dance/Sunny Day
-Taunt
-Roost
-Featherdance/Toxic

For a longer-lasting weather setter that can come in and deal with various threats (such as bulky grass-types on a Rain team).

Finally I've heard talk of a mixed attacking set since Murkrow's stats aren't terrible (Base 91 speed is quite good in NU), but I haven't ever seen or tried one.

i ran an offensive LO set in the past, it did neat little thing such as 2hko klinklang on the switch in and cripple rhydon, maybe worth an OO mention?

Offensive Murkrow has some merit. It's got a good speed tier and access to good physical STAB at least, as well as priority Thunder Wave to neuter fast revenge killers. Alternatively it could just run Heat Wave with Insomnia, Brave Bird must do a number on Roselia so it makes a pretty good last minute check. I'd give it an OO mention at least, since this is the best tier for Murkrow to try an offensive set in other than LC.

SubRoost is probably viable as well.

Also, a little nitpick. Non-attacking sets should use a Bold nature to reduce confusion and Foul Play damage. It's minimal admittedly but there's absolutely no reason not to.

Changed Nature to Bold.

@ Tennisace: I will test the FeatherDance set that you mentioned before I write it up. Do you have any suggested EV spreads?

I was also thinking of a weather inducer set. I'll look into it.

I'll also throw Mixed Offensive into other options

Toxic Stall might be worth a shot too, as there aren't that many Steels in NU. I haven't played much with Murkrow, so I'll get back to you on that.

Seeing as it can't carry Eviolite and Damp / Heat Rock, I don't think a weather inducer set is good enough to get beyond OO.

I've been testing the FeatherDance set, and I have to say it's been quite underwhelming. Murkrow really lacks the bulk to properly abuse FeatherDance, and Roost canceling out its Flying Type means that Close Combat still does a nice chunk of damage. Perhaps I'm not using the right spread, but I've been using 252 HP 252 Def with an Impish Nature.

Of course, I could be using it without the proper team support, but that's just my opinion :/

Im not on my computer right now but i'll get some logs of it and/or get other qc to test with me. Ive had quite a bit more success with it than one would expect. Ill also get back to you on the spread.

bumping this

I have tried feather dance set in both OU and UU and it worked great to me. Its awesome at stopping things like (for example) leafeon, who you can shut down with taunt+feather dance and etc etc. Gurdurr struggles too, 'cos with 2 feather dances you will be able to roost without fearing drain punch and etc.

Definitely should be on analysis.

Ok, while I personally find the set underwhelming, I will add in the FeatherDance Murkrow set. Before I add it, I want to make sure this is correct:

[SET]
Name: FeatherDancer
Move 1: FeatherDance
Move 2: Roost
Move 3: Taunt / Substitute
Move 4: Brave Bird / Thunder Wave
Item: Eviolite
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef

Brave Bird should be in the third slot alone, Taunt/Sub in the fourth but yes that's right.

edited and updated

bump

Personally I think the Featherdance set should be the first set since its the only one I see but we can let the usage stats in a couple days decide that.

I personally think PerishTrap is better but w/e

QC APPROVED (2/3)

Tentatively stamping this. I still think some kind of offensive set might be viable, but that can always be uploaded separately.

once the usage stats come out, we'll figure out the order of the sets

ok, this is all written up and ready for GP approval

placeholder for amateur check

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done

I'm curious where 60/83.5/83.5 comes from, since that would mean both defenses were fully invested right? I'm not sure, I'm not up on my base stats calculations. Perhaps just leave it at manageable as to not leave the wrong impression?